L-1 Visa for Indian citizens: Data and Posts
Indian nationals received 19,698 L-1 visas in FY2025, rank 1. Counts by post in India, validity and embassy addresses from State Department sources.
Page reviewed October 30, 2026.
What it is
Indian nationals received 19,698 L-1 visas in fiscal year 2025, which ranks 1 among nationalities and is 25.5% of the 77,249 issued worldwide.
Chennai issued the most of any post in India. The L-1 lets a U.S. employer transfer an executive, manager or employee with specialized knowledge from a related office abroad. The employer files a petition with USCIS first, and the consular interview follows the approval. These figures are our sums of State Department monthly tables, count visas issued abroad, and leave out people who change status inside the U.S.
- L-1 visas, Indian nationals, FY2025
- 19,698Rank 1 of all nationalities, 25.5% of 77,249 worldwide.
- Top issuing post in the country
- Chennai13,382 L-1 visas issued there in FY2025.
- L-1 visa validity
- 35 monthsMultiple entries on the schedule we read.
- Reciprocity fee
- NoneThe standard visa application fee still applies.
L-1 visas issued to Indian nationals, FY2023 to FY2025
Read these figures with their limits. They are our sums of the State Department's monthly tables of nonimmigrant visas issued by nationality, October to September. They count visas issued at consulates, so they leave out L-1 approvals for people who change status inside the U.S. The L-1 class combines the L-1A and L-1B, with no split.
| Fiscal year | L-1 visas issued | Rank by nationality | Share of world L-1 | Change from prior year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2023 | 25,576 | 1 | 33.3% | Not computed |
| FY2024 | 18,583 | 1 | 25.9% | down 27.3% |
| FY2025 | 19,698 | 1 | 25.5% | up 6.0% |
Where in India L-1 visas are issued
L-1 visas issued at Indian posts are concentrated at Chennai, and Hyderabad grew every year, from 869 to 2,778. New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata, which issued 2,309, 1,821 and 301 in FY2023, show 2 or no row in FY2025. No source we read explains the shift, and we do not offer one. Post counts are visas issued at that post to applicants of any nationality, so they are not the same as the nationality totals above.
| Post | L-1 issued FY2023 | L-1 issued FY2024 | L-1 issued FY2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai | 16,936 | 12,934 | 13,382 |
| Hyderabad | 869 | 1,767 | 2,778 |
| New Delhi | 2,309 | 316 | 2 |
| Mumbai | 1,821 | 97 | no row |
| Kolkata | 301 | 23 | no row |
U.S. embassy and consulate addresses in India
Addresses are copied from the U.S. mission's own pages on October 30, 2026. Confirm the address and entrance on your appointment confirmation before travelling.
- Consulate General Chennai, Gemini Circle, Chennai 600 006
- Consulate General Hyderabad, Survey No. 115/1, Financial District, Nanakramguda, Hyderabad, Telangana 500032
- Embassy New Delhi, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021
- Consulate General Mumbai, C-49, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai 400051
- Consulate General Kolkata, 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, Kolkata 700071, West Bengal
Reciprocity and process notes for Indian nationals
The State Department schedule lists L-1 and L-2 for Indian nationals with no reciprocity fee, multiple entries and 35 months. We read the schedule on the State Department's mirror host on October 30, 2026, because the main site blocked automated reads that day, so confirm the rows on the live page.
- India has been first among all nationalities for L-1 visas in each of the three years, and its count fell from 25,576 in FY2023 to 18,583 in FY2024 before rising to 19,698.
- No India mission page we read has an L-specific section. Embassy New Delhi's address is as printed on the mission page.
What we have not confirmed
- Which Indian posts decide L cases and why post counts moved between FY2023 and FY2025. We have not read the appointment-service site for India.
- Appointment wait times, which change often and which we do not publish.
- USCIS approval counts for this nationality. We found no primary figure we could cite.
How this compares with other L-1 pages
- China: 6,901 L-1 visas in FY2025, rank 2.
- France: 3,212 L-1 visas in FY2025, rank 7.
How it works
From first call to filed petition
1. Evaluation
You get an honest answer.
We review your situation on a 15-minute call and tell you honestly whether the visa fits and what would make the case stronger. No retainer. No commitment.
2. Strategy
You know exactly what your case looks like.
We map which company documents and evidence prove each requirement, and what is still missing. You see the full picture before we file anything.
3. Preparation
Your petition is built without you lifting a finger.
Our team drafts the support letters and the legal brief, curates every exhibit, and reviews the full petition before it leaves our hands. You approve. We file.
4. Filing
Filed. You get on with your life.
Your petition is filed at USCIS and we manage every communication from there. We handle any RFE at no extra charge.
Common questions
How many L-1 visas are issued to Indian citizens?
25,576 in FY2023, 18,583 in FY2024 and 19,698 in FY2025, by our sums of State Department monthly tables. These count visas issued abroad and exclude change of status inside the U.S.
Which U.S. post in India issues the most L-1 visas?
Chennai, with 13,382 in FY2025. Post counts include applicants of every nationality.
How long is the L-1 visa valid for Indian citizens?
35 months on the State Department schedule we read. The State Department can change the schedule at any time, so confirm it on the live page. The standard visa application fee still applies.
Do I apply for the L-1 at the embassy first?
No. A U.S. petitioner files Form I-129 with USCIS first. The embassy interview comes after the petition is approved.
Is Lando a law firm?
No. Lando is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Petitions are prepared in coordination with licensed U.S. immigration attorneys. For advice about your own situation, speak to a licensed immigration attorney.
Sources
Lando is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Petitions are prepared in coordination with licensed U.S. immigration attorneys.